Nissan GT-R

Nissan's thunderous GT-R eclipsed the Impreza and stole the hearts of petrolheads at Tokyo. Lapping the (partially wet) 'Ring circuit in 7mins 38.54secs during its development, points to a respectably snarlish track tool. But a clever induction system makes it a pussycat in town, too.

Claimed to be the ‘ultimate all-round supercar’ the GT-R’s hand-built twin turbo V6 engine delivers 480PS at 6400rpm, with 588Nm of torque from 3200 to 5200rpm. A clever bit of induction air management achieves two-thirds-torque during ordinary low-speed driving, so the GT-R should be tractable as they come.

Like previous GT-R versions, the latest model is a showcase for Nissan’s engineering talents. Effortlessly aggressive in appearance, Nissan's boffins have focused on power usability and stability, with an advanced full-time four-wheel drive system (hand-built, again, by one technician) for improved traction, a suitably Brunel-like transmission, monster Brembo brake set-up to haul it up and the choice of power options within the cab to keep it all tame.

Carbon fibre is used for the front end of the body structure, including the radiator support and the front of the engine bay, giving strength and lightness. The same material is used for the rear undertray – see image – and glassfibre is used beneath the engine tray, to minimise airflow disruption. With a special hand-polished paintwork, Nissan claims a slippery drag co-efficient (0.27).

GT-R will be available mainly through Nissan High Performance Centres nationwide in Japan on December 6th at £33,500. A snip. It's not expected into the UK until Early 2009.

We look forward to trying it out a lot sooner.